Explosive.



WILLIAM RICKMERS, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

EXPLOSIVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1908.

Application filed. May 11, 1908. Serial N 0. 432,205.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that L'WILLIAM RIcKMERs, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at London, in England, have invented'a certain new and Improved Explosive, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new explosive having certain advantages over existing explosives ofa similar type. It is more powerful than the majority of the nitro-compounds, is cheap to manufacture and moreover, is particularly safe to handle and does not freeze.

The new explosive the subject of this invention comprises a mixture of an organic substance with certain salts rich in oxygen. The salts or mixtures of salts which have been discovered appear to have advantages over other oxygen bearing compounds of a similar nature when mixed with organic compounds of the type hereinafter described. After a more or less systematic search through the various organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen and a considerable proportion of oxygen the group of organic substances containing tannin has been found very suitable for use with the salts or mixtures of salts above referred to. This group offers special advantages because its members contaima large pro ortion of hydrogen and carbon and are' a so rich in oxygen. Certain members of the group are however of particular value in the manufacture of explosives when used in combination with the particular oxygen bearing salts employed in the present invention. It has especially been found that myrobalans is of great value when used in combination with such salts probably because it contains a considerable quantity of ellagotannic acid. Divi divi and valonia are also capable of producing good results. The organic constituent of the new explosive is accordingly a substance having the properties set out above such as myrobalans, divi divi and valonia. r

The salt used for the purpose of supplying the necessary oxygen is perchlorate of ammonia with which may be mixed saltpeter or nitrate of ammonia. By the term saltpeter is included a nitrate of an alkali metal either nitrate of soda or nitrate of otash. As an example of the use of one of t ese salts singly 36" parts of powdered crushed myrobalans may be mixed with 64 parts of powdered perchlorate of ammonia. As an example of the use ofthese salts in combination a mixture may be made of 36 parts of powdered crushed myrobalans, 28 or 29 parts of powdered saltpeter and 36 or 35 parts of powdered perchlorate of ammonia. The resulting explosive can be used in coal mines as the flame temperature is so low as not to ignite fire damp or coal dust. being used as a propellant and in other ways.

It is found to be advantageous to bind the powder together withsome medium, so as to form a plastic mass. For thispurpose substances of the nature of agar agar or an oil may be used. With the mixture given above agar agar may be mentioned as preferable for a binding medium, for instance, 7%,% of a 2%% solution, making a total of 0.15% of the whole mixture is a proper proportion. The solution of agar agar is mixed with the powdered ingredients which have already been thoroughly mixed together, and the whole is then moldedinto the desired form and left to dry in the atmosphere If necessary pressure may be applied to the molded mass so asto compress it.

The new explosive although excessively owerful is quite safe to handle and tamp. t is also to be noted that the explosive may be used either in the form of powder or in a compressed state when its specific gravity is increased.

Although the use ofmyrobalans has been described by way of example any member of the tannin group containing a suificient qpantty of ellagotannic acid may be emp ll hat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is V 1. In an explosive the combination of an or anic substance containing ellagotannic organic substance containing ellagotannio acid of which myrobalans is a type, perchlorate of ammonia and saltpeter as set forth.

3. In an explosive the combination of 36 parts of myrobalans, perchlorate of ammonia in about the same proportion and saltpeter in quantity sufiicient to make up the total 100 parts as set forth. I

It is also capable of acld of which myrobalans is a type and per- 4. In an explosive the combination -ofv myrobalans nitrate of an alkali metal and perchlorate of ammonia as set forth.

5. In an explosive the combination of a tannin and ellagotannic acid containing substance of which myrobalans is a type, perchlorate of ammonia and a binding me 5 dium as set forth. I

6. In an ex losive the combination of myrobalans, sa tpeter, perchlorate of ammonia and abinding medium as set forth. 7. In an explosive the combinationi of a 10 tannin containing organic substance, per chlorate of ammonia, saltpeter and agar agar as a bindin agent.

8. In an exp osive the combination of myrobalans, saltpeter, perchlorate of ammonia, and agar agar as a binding medium. 15 9. In an explosive the combination of myrobalans, nitrate of an alkali metal, perchlorate of ammonia and agar agar 'as a binding medium. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my 2 name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing WitnSSeS. w

' WILLIAM RICKMERS. Witnesses: R. E. DUNBAR KILBURN,

MAURICE STRODE. 

